Bronchial asthma is another name for asthma. Asthma is inflammation and constriction of the airways. Bronchial asthma can be mild or can be life-threatening. Asthma can be hereditary. People with asthma are likely to have relatives who have asthma, allergies, or eczema. Asthma, allergies, and eczema are all caused by overreactions of the immune system to allergens or triggers. The sensitivity of the immune system is an inherited condition called atopy.

There are different types of bronchial asthma. Some people with asthma have the worst asthma symptoms at night. They may be diagnosed with nighttime or nocturnal asthma. A person who experiences asthma symptoms during or immediately after exercise may be diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. An individual who coughs when they have airway inflammation, but no other asthma symptoms may be diagnosed with cough-variant asthma. Occupational asthma is asthma symptoms that occur while handling allergens such as chemicals or being around animals in the workplace. Allergic asthma is asthma that occurs in response to an allergen that acts as a trigger.

Not only are the types of asthma different, but the severity and frequency of the symptoms vary. These variations are present from person to person. An individual may also have a change in their symptoms and the frequency of their asthma attacks. It is not uncommon for a person to experience asthma symptoms as a child, but not as an adult.

Common triggers for asthma symptoms are pet dander, smoke, allergens from cockroaches, dust mites, and pollen. Some medications like aspirin can trigger asthma symptoms. People with exercise-induce asthma are thought to be triggered by mouth breathing. Some people with asthma can decrease the frequency and severity of their symptoms by avoiding known triggers.

Diagnosing asthma is done with asthma tests. Lung function tests may be used to diagnose asthma. The doctor will also gather information about the patient’s symptoms. Once a diagnosis is made, the doctor will devise a treatment plan with the patient.

Asthma is not a curable condition. This condition can be managed with asthma medication. The asthma patient may begin treatment with the use of an asthma inhaler to be used when the asthma patient experiences asthma symptoms. If the person is still experiencing frequent flare-ups, the doctor may prescribe a daily medication to help prevent asthma flare-ups. Over the person’s lifetime, the patient may have numerous changes to the medications needed to control their asthma symptoms.